Benson Henderson loses his UFC lightweight title to Anthony Pettis

MILWAUKEE – Anthony Pettis claimed the UFC lightweight title in his hometown Saturday night, beating champion Benson Henderson by armbar submission in the first round in the main event at UFC 164.

Henderson (19-3), a 2001 graduate of Decatur High School in Federal Way, had an 18-month championship reign. It ended when Pettis (17-2) caught him in an armbar late in the round at the Bradley Center.

Pettis stretched out Henderson’s right arm and abruptly finished the rematch of their memorable 2010 World Extreme Cagefighting match, also won by Pettis.

Henderson verbally tapped out of this fight.

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“The armbar was there,” Pettis said. “I grabbed it and I heard him yell, ‘Tap, tap, tap,’ and that was it.”

Henderson was attempting takedowns before Pettis quickly finished the fight.

“Anthony is tough, and tonight he proved himself to be a champion,” Henderson said. “But I’ll be back.”